NEEDY MOTHER GETS HOUSE ON HER BIRTHDAY - Jamaica Observer - August 2, 2015

THE MORRIS FAMILY: The Morris family standing in front of the dilapidated house they previously lived in. (PHOTOS: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

BY AINSWORTH MORRIS
Sunday Observer writer

WHEN Karen Morris heard that Food For The Poor (FFP) was coming to her community in McCook's Pen, St Catherine to build her family of nine a new house on her birthday, July 22, she was overjoyed.

According to Morris, a 35-year-old poverty-stricken wife and mother of six daughters and one son, her family desperately needed a house, given that the two-bedroom house that they previously occupied, which was over 30 years old, had deteriorated into an uncomfortable state which she and her husband, Wayne, did not hope for their children to grow up in.

"I have been living here for over 16 years. The house was passed down to us by my father-in-law and it was falling apart. The boards of the floor were rotten, and you literally felt like they were breaking with you when you walked on them and thought you would fall under the house," Morris said in an interview last week.

"It was very bad. We had several problems with the house, but the most devastating thing was that whenever it rained, the roof leaked all over and we had to set buckets and pans across the rooms to mek sure we don't wet up. Sometimes we haffi stay on one side of the room just to not get wet. Most times I felt embarrassed because my husband and I could not afford to give the children a better place to live," Morris further stated.

Given that an elderly person she would often care for to earn an income died recently, and her husband's contract with a company ended over a year ago, their spending power to properly care for their children -- one-year-old Shanoya; eight-year-old Shanice; 11-year-old Jovaughn, 13-year-old Tishana, 15-year-old Calcia and 17-year-old twins Tanica and Tanice -- had deteriorated and they could not repair or rebuild their home.

Amidst all the challenges, Morris did not give up. She submitted an application to Food For The Poor (FFP).

"I went to Food For The Poor and applied for a house. After they called me and said I was chosen, I thought of my mother who was living in a fowl coop at that time, and gave the opportunity for that house to my mother in 2013. Then I reapplied, and when they called and said I was going to get a Food For The Poor house, I was overwhelmed," Morris said.

In addition to receiving a newly constructed two-bedroom house, the family also received furniture, including mattresses, tables and chairs, from the charity organisation and donors of the house.

When asked how he felt about his new home, Wayne said: "It hard fi explain how mi feel right now... It's almost like a dream come true. It is a blessing to tell you the truth.

"The worst time for me was during the rainy season, or if we learn seh hurricane a come, cause mi know how bad things could get for us," he added with a spirit of gratitude.

The construction of the house was conducted by a group of volunteers with FFP Inc, who visited Jamaica between June 20 to 24, and was spearheaded by Dr Lynne Nasrallah, board director, FFP Inc.

Also present with the group were Meg and Stephan Batchelder, founders of The Ryan Batchelder Foundation also known as 'Little Hugs'. In addition to assisting with the construction of the house, they treated the children of the family to stuffed animals, which they donated in honour of their son, Ryan Batchelder, who died in a boat accident one year ago.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Needy-mother-gets-house-on-her-birthday_19221710

(PHOTOS: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO FOOD FOR THE POOR: Wayne Morris (center), expressing gratitude to Marcia Hall-Walker (left), Food For The Poor’s Social Outreach Manager in front of the house being constructed for his family. Sharing in the moment is Karen Morris.

FOOD FOR THE POOR VOLUNTEERS: Dr. Lynne Nasrallah (right) and her daughter Nicole, painting the veranda of the house constructed for the Morris family recently.

A GRATEFUL HEART: Volunteers equip the newly constructed home for the Morris family. At right is Karen Morris.

KEYS TO MY NEW HOME: Wayne Morris raises the keys to his new home. Sharing in the moment are his family members and Food For The Poor volunteers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN! After being presented with the keys to her new home, Karen Morris was surprised with a birthday cake. Presenting the cake is Marcia Hall-Walker, Social Outreach Manager, Food For The Poor Jamaica.

WE DID IT! The team of volunteers from the United States of America and Jamaica, along with staff members of Food For The Poor, who constructed the house for the Morris family.

AN ELATED MORRIS FAMILY: Members of the Morris family standing before their new home which was donated by Food For The Poor (FFP). Sharing in the moment Is Dr. Lynne Nasrallah (second right), Board Member, FFP Inc.